Concept:India’s investment in Chabahar Port is driven by a strategic need to create an alternative trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, avoiding dependence on Pakistan’s land transit.
Explanation:Pakistan has long denied India overland access to Afghanistan. Chabahar Port, located in southeastern Iran near the Gulf of Oman, gives India a direct sea-land corridor to Afghanistan and Central Asia. This bypasses the political obstacle of Pakistan’s transit denial. The port also connects to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), linking India, Iran, and Russia for faster Eurasian trade. India has invested over $500 million in developing the port’s infrastructure and operates it through agreements with Iran. This project counters China’s Gwadar Port (CPEC) and strengthens India’s regional influence. The primary aim is not military, tourism, or exclusive agricultural export, but a strategic trade gateway.
Answer:Gain direct access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. (Option B)